patrick put up on the roof had a problem your average living room tree doesn't, it blew off. plywood had to be bolted down. true, this is not a new concept. in england and in lincoln wood, illinois, there have been grander versions of the same visual joke with the tree cut in three. >> you're saying it's better than this one? >> reporter: yours has a charlie brown aspect to it. >> i think it needs me. >> reporter: what patrick needs and has is a kinky christmas tree as well as a nice plump regular one with a star that grazes the ceiling rather than pierces it. ♪ jeanne moos, cnn, new york. >> ho, ho, ho. good night. >> ho, ho, ho. good night. tonight the one and only barbra streisand. ♪ and the way we were

>> extraordinary hour. the legendary superstar. >> those men are fighting for your right to make any kind of picture you want. >> her incredible career. >> i only began to sing because i couldn't get a job as an actress, you see. >> her leading men. >> i'm still after them. >> the greatest love of her life. >> you always ask that to people. why is that? >> and the tragedy that changed everything. >> i think it did scar me. >> and the politics, plastic surgery and the personal side of fame. >> you see me as this star. i don't see myself like that. >> barbra streisand, the way she is, a funny girl. this is "piers morgan tonight." people ask me who i would most like to have on my show as a guest one name pops up in my mind. she's a fabulous actress with a truly iconic voice, a voice that i believe is the greatest there's ever been. she's a humanitarian, a political activist, a wife, a

mother, she's a funny girl. she is, of course, barbra streisan i even got the name right. >> did you say bah-bra? >> i said barbra. >> i got the last name right. we had dinner today, and you kept lecturing me. streisand. >> [ english accent ] by god, you've got it. >> i have come from watching your brilliant new movie "guilt trip." the reason why i loved it, it reminded me exactly what it would be like if i went on a road trip with my mother. it's you and seth rogen. you go on this bizarre, crazy road trip together. you're the archetypal jewish momma, and he's the archetypal only son, and chaos ensues. let's watch a clip. >> hey, i'm over here. >> hey, mom. i see you. all of new york sees you. hey, there. hi, mom. good to see you.

yes. >> look at you. look at you. oh, my god. >> okay. let's get out of the way here. >> you're wearing a sports jacket. >> yeah, i am. >> how did you know to buy a sports jacket? >> i took a class in it. >> honey, look, you left the price tag on. jake rue, my fancy schmancy son. i'm just going to keep it in case i goes on sale. >> i found is very moving. it moved me to tears at one point. you must have had a ball doing it? >> yeah, if you like working that much. yeah, it was fun. >> do you hate all work basically? >> no. >> what do you like doing? >> i lovemaking movies actually, and i love recording. that's what i love. >> you don't like performing in front of people? >> that's odd. >> it is strange. >> i never know what to do during the applause. i don't know what to do. it's like, oh, okay, all right. let's go on to the next thing.

it's a strange thing to be live in front of people. >> do you consider yourself to be primarily an actress that sings, right? >> uh-huh. >> whereas many people would think you're the greatest singer arguably there's ever been. i would argue that. >> i don't know. i only began to sing because i couldn't get a job as an actress, you see. and i entered -- >> your dream was always to be an actress, to be a star. you wanted to be a star? >> i think, when i was young, i wanted to be a star until i became a star. then it's a lot of work. it's work to be taye star. i don't enjoy the stardom part. i only enjoy the creative process. >> if i said to you, look, you could go on a desert island. all you can do for the rest of your life, you can sing, you can direct, you can act, or you can just sit there drinking out of coconuts. >> i would say direct. >> so that's the true love? >> well, directing is so interesting. it just sort of encompasses everything that you see, that you know, that you felt, that

you've observed. it just -- you can turn the camera on anything. oh, my god, just turn the camera and do -- you're in control of your work. you're in control of your so-called art. i like that. >> when i watched "guilt trip" -- and we'll come to your own guilt trips, and i'm sure there are millions of them, as i have. it took me back to your early upbringing in many ways because it's about motherhood, it's about the relationship between a mother and her son. you had a very difficult upbringing. you've talked about this before, but i found it fascinating. your father died when you were 1. >> 15 months old. >> right. i was 1 when my father died. >> really? >> so i saw that parallel, yes. i was very fortunate in that my mother married somebody who was a fantastic father to me. you weren't so fortunate. you had this very difficult relationship with your stepfather. so i was personally fascinated by that.

how much do you think it scarred you, or did it just drive you? >> i think it did scar me more than it drove me. what drove me was my father's life was cut so short. he died at 35 years old. he was listed in a book of great leaders in education. he wrote incredible thesises, if there's such a word, with just wonderful observations, and one of them -- he was a teacher, and he also taught at elmira reformatory. he taught english to juvenile delinquents. and i could never read that piece until i got much older and had this certain experience, and then i was able to read it, and that was me. in other words, there is so much in the cellular memory or the dna, because i never knew him, but at 16 i had discovered

chekov and ibsen and shakespeare. and when i read my father's work, it was how to teach juvenile delinquents through chekov and ibsen and shakespeare. >> have you been able to find out anything about his character and his life? >> not really. although very mystical things happen. i was doing a concert a few years ago, and i was with my two girlfriends one night at my house, and they were talking about their fathers, and i couldn't relate to them because they had the experience of having a father. i came up to my office after they left, and there was a letter from my father that had been sent to me from my cousin,

who has the same streisand name, in brooklyn at some synagogue and asked if she was related to me. they said, she's my cousin. and this was given to me. and this was given to my father's girlfriend when he was 19 years old, and she found me through my cousin, and it was a poem written to her. but such a beautiful poem, and it talked about love, the only thing really in this world is love, was the moral of the poem. with an enigmatic structure in it that you had to find, and you had to find the key to find his -- he was such an interesting mind. >> extraordinary. he was 19 when he wrote this? >> yeah. >> what did that make you feel? >> that he was telling me something, that it was to me. >> what was he telling you? >> it was this mess anl that, no matter what, love is the answer.

that's why i called my album "love is the answer." it's also a line from a song. >> your character in the movie has been in love -- to the viewer, has been in love properly twice in her life, to the man she married, and then to this other guy she fell in love with. how many times in your life have you been properly in love? >> how many times have i been in love? i should have been prepared for this because i see you ask it. although you didn't ask mike tyson. >> there's a reason for that. >> oh, there is. i'm trying to think. at least five or six. >> really? that's fascinating. does the wider world know? >> you didn't ask how long it lasted, this love feeling or whatever. >> how long does it need to last to qualify for proper love, do you think?

>> not that long. eight months, would you say. or maybe years, years, years. >> some people have it literally in a flash. i do believe there can be love at first sight. i know people where that's happened, and they've been very happy the rest of their lives together. they get lucky. >> yeah. isn't it interesting? it's a recognition of something. i knew i liked you from the minute, but i didn't know that your father died that early. and there is -- you see, we never talked about it. you might have known that about me, but there's something that you recognize in someone's past, and it's a void that you recognize. >> i think you become -- i'm sure you have the same, but you'rely curious because you never knew this person. did you feel your mother

properly loved you, or was there a sense or a jealousy that you were leading the kind of life perhaps she dreamt of herself? >> she was a wonderful singer. my mother had a great voice. not like mine, not like my sister's, a high soprano voice, but like a bird, really beautiful. i used to say, mom, why didn't you try to get a career as a singer? no, she said she was too shy. she couldn't do it. and i'm basically shy too, but that makes the difference. how do you succeed if you don't try? >> how did you feel when your mother died? did you feel that you had reconciled things with her? >> basically, yeah. little -- a short time before she died, i remember going to her house -- and she had alzheimer's. she didn't recognize me really. but i started to sing her a melody of something she had sung

when she was younger, and that she remembered, and it just shoeds y shows you the power of music, doesn't it? >> what was it you sang? do you remember? >> it was something that she made a record of when i was 13 and she took me, but it was really because she made the records, and i was able to make a record when i was 13. >> do you think she was proud of you? >> you know what it was? i used to say, ma, how come you never told me i love you? you never said those words or really hugged me. she said, i didn't want you to get a swelled head. she said, i knew that my parents loved me, but they didn't have to tell me all the time. it's a certain coldness, you know. it's not tactile. it's not physical. i don't know what it is. it was strange to me always. strange to me. >> how are you with your son? >> oh, i just -- i think everything he does is great. you know, my son -- that's

unconditional love, i swear. it's a terrible thing to say, but i think my son could do something really bad, and i know i would find a way to justify it. >> you sang with your son jason. this is in september. just take a look at this because it's very moving. >> what do you have? ♪ ♪ how many roses you got roses. >> i got roses. ♪ are sprinkled with dew >> doesn't he have a gorgeous voice? >> he does have an amazing voice. >> look at that. he had never been on stage before, but he's done so much incredible work on himself that he actually could have the courage -- he said, i'm never going to perform. he said, i like recording, but i'm never going to perform live.

i said, jason, when i heard him sing this song on this record he made, i said, we've got to sing it together. i have to sing it with you. >> it was beautiful to watch. we found it on the internet. >> how do you like that? i've never seen that before. >> have you never seen that before? >> no. we have it on the television show that's going to come out on mother's day hopefully, but i've never seen it. >> we'll come back and talk about jason a bit more because i want to know if you've ever been on a road trip with him. i'll come back and talk about some politics, "the way we were," my favorite movie. i want to know what rocks your political boat. i know for a fact that lots does. my conversation with barbra streisand took place before the shooting in newtown. miss streisand offered her condolences to the victims. "a horrible tragedy in newtown, connecticut, has brought to the forefront a long overdue national conversation with regard to gun control and mental

health services in our country. i hope the story of sandy hook elementary finally catalyzes the nation and our leaders to do something substantive regarding gun control and access to mental health care services to those who desperately need it." we'll be right back.

ally bank. why they have a raise your rate cd. tonight our guest, thomas sargent. nobel laureate in economics, and one of the most cited economists in the world. professor sargent, can you tell me what cd rates will be in two years? no.

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the russians don't want anybody that speaks spanish. isn't that scary? they're communists, but they want total disarmament now. is that scary? hitler and mussolini are using the earth as testing ground for what they want, another world war. is that scary? you're darn right it is. >> barbra streisand in "the way we were," that is my single favorite movie of all time. i talked to robert redford about it when he came in. he said he's resisted your clarion call for a sequel ever since. he doesn't believe in sequels. >> i understand. i understand. but this happens to be a great story. i wanted it to be released on the 25th anniversary, but we never made it. >> what would have happened? >> it just was a very

interesting story about the daughter and her political activism at berkeley in 1968 and the democratic national convention, which was very interesting, and a beautiful love story, again. >> i know that you're into your politics big time because we spent most of the last month e-mailing each other about barack obama and mitt romney, and you were tearing me off a new one, i believe is the american phrase, for what you perceive to be my lack of support for the president. >> that's right. >> i was more interested in the debate. it was a good one actually. i found it very informative. >> i kept sending you articles. >> you did. and your man won. >> your man didn't? >> no, i don't have a horse in the race. i'm british. i can't vote. my argument to you is i wondered whether mitt romney could be better for the american economy, given his background. >> god, no. do you know why? >> you were having none of it. >> do you know why? there have been businessmen who have turned presidents. herbert hoover, george bush, the first george bush.

businessmen, i think shall there were a couple of others. lousy presidents. businessmen make lousy presidents. >> why have you been so consistent in your support of obama? is >> i can't even imagine thinking about what would happen to the supreme court if a republican were the president. i mean, citizens united is a horrible thing that people can spend and waste this amount of money on elections. think of all the people that could be benefit -- could benefit from that money. >> there have been two elections since i've been in america. there have been two elections where one party has had far more financial power than the other. one was here in california with meg whitman, and one was nationally. romney clearly had more money than obama for most of that campaign, and in both cases, the one with the most money lost. >> isn't that great? >> what does that tell you about

the american people? >> the people are getting smarter. they're going, i don't like all this amount of money spent on this election. campaign finance reform is very important, and i hope somebody does something about it. you should have a given amount, equal amount, equal air time, and that's it. that idea of corporations being people. no, no, it's not -- this is a country of, by, and for the people, not of, by, and for the corporation. you know, it's like -- because i'm so against gmos, the modified food, and i'm so against lobbying by chemical companies, lobbying, and that proposition 37 was bad, and that's scary because the poison in our foods and in the air and they give discretionary polluters. we are having climate change.

the republicans don't seem to want to acknowledge that. it's a major problem. you have to be a democrat to understand that or to believe in that. >> have you ever been in love with a republican? >> never. >> could you ever be? >> no. >> really? that's fascinating. >> well, i mean, unless there was an enormous sexual chemistry and i had to -- we never talked about politics maybe, but i can't quite imagine it, no, i don't think so. >> what have been the proudest moments for you with obama? i would imagine one of them was when he came out so vocally for gay rights finally. >> absolutely. that's great. >> what else? >> what else has he done? is >> that you're particularly proud of him for doing. >> his stance for women, women, the power of women, or not allowing -- just for that one reason, in my show, i would say, well, i'm not going to tell you -- my limited concert tour. i would say, i'm not going to tell you who to vote for, but if

you want clean air and good food and so forth, and if you believe that a woman has a right to choose what happens in her own body or you think your body belongs to the state, there's a clear choice. how could you -- thank god that akin and mourdock came out with those extremist views. i thought keep talking, boys. keep talking. >> how about when you watched the footage of those moments? neither had a clue they said anything so contentious. >> that's so scary. >> you could reach the point of potentially becoming a senator and actually have no clue that what you're saying is deeply offensive to many people. >> right. some men, mostly women, right? it was deeply offensive. >> do you feel that there's any form of equality in america for women? >> we're one of the last countries to ever think of having a woman be president, but i think that's possible now, but

it wasn't years ago. >> do you think hillary is likely to run in 2016? >> i don't know, but i hope after a four-year rest, that she would run because she would be a great woman president. >> let's take another break. let's come back and talk hollywood. your great love. >> it is? >> you're the greatest movie star in the world is ever. >> okay. >> other than yourself. >> no. have a good night. here you go. you, too. i'm going to dream about that steak. i'm going to dream about that tiramisu.

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♪ ♪ papa can you see me papa can you find me in the night ♪ ♪ papa are you near me papa can you hear me ♪ ♪ papa can you help me not be frightened ♪ >> you're wearing the same outfit, i just realized. >> very funny. >> what do you think when you see yourself from that era? that was from "yentl" in 1983. >> what do i think? >> yeah, when you look at yourself. >> i'm so objective when i look at myself. when i'm directing a movie and i'm editing, it's always she, her. it's not me. it's like the character in the movie. >> do you see a beautiful woman there? >> not particularly. >> have you ever looked in the

mirror and thought you looked beautiful? >> from certain angles. >> really? which is your best angle? >> well, my left. >> why? >> because my eyes don't look as cross-eyed sometimes or my nose is better. >> that's really what you feel? >> my mouth is better. yeah, i'm like two different people on two sides, i think. >> let's take a look at a clip from one of my favorite films. this is "funny girl." ♪ like candy on the sun is a ball of butter ♪ ♪ don't bring around a cloud to rain on my parade ♪ ♪ don't tell me not to fly i've simply got to ♪ ♪ if someone takes a spill it's me and not you ♪ ♪ who told you you're allowed to rain on my parade ♪ >> it's odd, you know. >> a fabulous film. >> you know what it is? i don't like to live in the past. i like to live in the present. so it's always odd for me to see

things. >> we've got you when you were 19 years old. this will really torment you. >> 19 years old? ♪ when a belie lies sleeping in the palm of your hand ♪ ♪ you're bewitched and deeply looked after ♪ ♪ when you see a sunny sky with a morning bloom ♪ >> i found that utterly spell binding. what's funny is you watching it and all you're thinking of is i look cross-eyed, and all i'm thinking is what a beautiful angel singing. >> we don't appreciate ourselves. >> how do you avoid the sort of

self-masticating plunge into plastic surgery that most young stars seem to do? >> i don't trust most people. when i was younger, i thought, if i could take off that little bit and shorten it just a bit, but what if he screws up? you know. so i just -- and i really don't like the idea of changing one's face like capping the teeth or stuff like that to change your face, no. >> who is the greatest actor you've ever seen? i know you love acting. it's your great love, great passion. who do you think? >> marlon brando. >> really? >> oh, no question. why, do you doubt that? >> definitely. although i remember interviewing dennis hopper for once, and he said james dean for him had the brando thing as well. >> but brando was first. >> yeah. >> no, he was fascinating. he would call me up sometimes.

>> marlon brando? >> he called me up once and said, sing me a song. and i said, marlon, that's like me asking you to recite hamlet. to which he proceeded to recite a soliloquy from hamlet. >> and did you have to sing? >> i did. >> what did you sing him? >> i sang him a song called "nobody's heart belongs to me." >> just on the phone to marlon brando? >> and i remember sitting in my kitchen, i'll never forget -- it's one of those moments you'll never forget. this is before they had gizmos to record things, and i'm going he's doing hamlet, so i had to sing him a song. >> what did he say at the end of that? >> i don't remember that. >> was it a regular thing? did he ring you up on a friday night and say sing me a song? >> we once went on a short road trip together. >> you and marlon brando? this is fantastic.

where did you go? >> he wanted to take me to the desert to see the wildflowers. >> i bet he did. >> and sleep over in a ghost town. >> now we're getting there. >> but i was such a nice jewish girl that i just said, marlon, i can't stay overnight with you. i'll go with you for the day, but you have to take me home. >> so marlon clearly wanted to do more than look at flowers with you. >> he wanted to sleep over in the desert. >> you turned down marlon brando? >> yeah, absolutely. >> how did he take reaction? >> it was fine. but he would do things like -- we would talk for hours and hours sometimes on the phone. it was great. >> what about? i find this mesmerizing, you and marlon brando, the greatest singer and the greatest actor, just chewing the fat on the phone. >> we would talk for hours. interesting, when we went on that road trip, he had just done the sexual -- "last tango in

paris." >> yeah. >> i never asked him about acting because he told me -- you know, it was interesting when he was telling me, and i'll write about it someday, but when i was older and i was doing my last -- it was "nuts." and he was telling me all these things, how he wears an earwig so he could hear the lines. a guy would speak the lines to him. i was saying to him, jesus, you know, marlon, i didn't want to know the lines of this movie because i was supposed to be under the influence of a drug in "nuts," but then he started to tell me, but i never wanted to ask him, impose on him. he came to my house once, and he said, okay, before we say anything, look into my eyes and don't smile or anything, see how long you can do it. and actually, i was just reading a book about him. >> how long did you do it? >> i couldn't do it. i kept laughing. but he was amazing, and i see in

this book that he does that with people. >> amazing. let's take a break and come back and talk about singing. >> singing? >> yeah. because i look at you, and i see the greatest singer that's ever been, and i want to know how you do this. it's not sweet, it's a fact. you're barbra streisand. [ woman ] ring. ring. progresso.

i just served my mother-in-law your chicken noodle soup but she loved it so much... i told her it was homemade. everyone tells a little white lie now and then. but now she wants my recipe [ clears his throat ] [ softly ] she's right behind me isn't she? [ male announcer ] progresso. you gotta taste this soup.

♪ memories light the corners of my mind ♪ ♪ misty water colored memories of the way we were ♪ >> when we were at dinner, i said to you, i found this thing on youtube from 1975, a television special called "funny girl to funny lady," and i said it is so amazing. it is breathtaking. that's the clip. and i've played it to a lot of other famous people -- i won't embarrass you by saying who it is -- and they all just sit there with their mouths opened. >> really? >> because it is almost musical perfection, but also you look so dazzling in that clip. >> that's nice. >> what do you feel when you see it? >> i can't see what you see. >> really? >> i really can't. i'm looking at why was i wearing

that thing over the black dress? god, my hair was light, and i was a little chubby. >> you weren't chubby. >> it's okay. it's okay. >> but you weren't. you're beautiful. interesting thing about you singing, beyond the amazing success you have, it's the fact you got so cripplingly shy when you perform live i found interesting. you played a huge concert in new york with 130,000 people. >> 150, central park. >> and you forgot the words to a few big songs, and it freaked you out so much you didn't perform live again for how long? >> 27 years. >> that is incredible. >> yeah. >> at the peak of your powers, where you could have earned $1 million a night in vegas, you just stopped. that's some freak out you were going through. >> i know. >> but when you have that freak out -- >> when you get freaked out -- >> tell me how you're feeling. i never imagine people of your talent could ever feel that nervous. clearly, it's completely -- >> there's probably several people called barbra streisand,

meaning you see me as this star. i don't see myself like that. i'm this girl. i'm this woman. i'm this mother. i'm this wife. i don't dress up at home. i don't like to say schlump, but more like the picture you saw of me. i was very comfortable doing that picture. i wore a sweatsuit and sneakers. >> what i loved about it was you were the least starry superstar i'd ever met in my life. i was imagining, after all these diva stories i'd read about over the years, which i kind of half hoped to be true. i like midi vas to be divas. you weren't remotely diva-ish, you were normal and nice. >> i hate to disappoint you. what the hell is a diva? i don't even know. >> have you ever been one? >> no. >> have you ever screamed at people? >> i scream at people. >> how loudly? >> i scream at my husband. that doesn't make me a diva. >> are you a perfectionist?

>> i am proud to say i am, but there is no such thing as perfection, and i found that out when i was 15 years old. i wrote it in my journal that perfection is imperfection. so it has that humanity, a human quality. otherwise, it's too cold, right? you could just strive for perfection. better word is excellence. strive for excellence. >> another thing i like about you is we're heading toward christmas, and you could even sing christmas stuff better than anybody else. watch this. i found this on the internet too. >> you're kidding me. ♪ silent night >> i like that. ♪ holy night ♪ all is calm all is bright ♪ ♪ round yon virgin

mother and child ♪ >> you see, you're saying you sound hoarse. >> that's hoarse. >> i've got goose bumps. that's why you're such a perfectionist. it must be why you're so good. >> i guess because i'm never in love with what i do. that's right. >> what things do you do that maybe we wouldn't know? are you a secret painter? do you build things, create things? >> i actually draw. i take photographs. i wrote a book on design. that's interesting to me because that's a lot to do with directing too. it's composition and color and monochromatic frames. that interests me. >> are you a naturally restless person, or can you just completely relax if you want to? >> i think more so now i can relax. i mean, i really like quiet. i like to read and be quiet and

watch films or have sprg conversations. most conversations are not that interesting. that's why i like politics, political. >> you're great at that. i've had some ding dongs with you, which i've thoroughly enjoyed. you give as good as you get, no holds barred. >> that was fun. >> let's come back and talk more about "the guilt trip." i want to know what guilt trips you've had in your lives, and i want names. >> that's hard. now with a fancy coating that gives you a burst of wildberry flavor. now why make a flavored heartburn pill? because this is america. and we don't just make things you want, we make things you didn't even know you wanted. like a spoon fork. spray cheese. and jeans made out of sweatpants. so grab yourself some new prilosec otc wildberry. [ male announcer ] one pill each morning. 24 hours. zero heartburn. satisfaction guaranteed or your money back.

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do you want to come on my trip with me, mom? >> you want to drive cross country with me? >> yeah. no. we won't be gone long. it's only eight days in the car together. >> i want to make sure that i'm hearing this correctly. you want to spend a week in a car with your mother? is >> more than anything in the world. >> don't you think i might get on your nerves a little bit? >> no. it was just a thought. if you don't want to do it, then fine. i don't want to push you into it. >> no, am i so awful you can't spend -- >> barbra streisand in "the guilt trip." it's funny, but it's also very warm and poignant in places. could you imagine doing a road trip with your son like that for a week? >> yeah, i could imagine doing that. >> you'd drive each other mad? my mother and i would last about a day. >> really? >> because we're just too similar. there would be too much arguing for sure.

>> really? >> she wouldn't admit it, but i bet there would be. >> i wouldn't mind doing that. i loved traveling with him on the tour. he brought his dog, i brought my dog, and we ate ciaoshbao together, a chinese delicacy. i've taken a road trip with my husband. >> how was that? >> it actually brought us closer together. >> i only met him a couple times, but he seems a very calming influence. very self-confident, unstarry again. i really liked him. he's a down to earth kind of character. >> he's very different than i am. i'm much more -- >> how much like the character you play, joyce, are you in real life? are you quite neurotic? in a good way. >> probably. probably. i'm on good behavior now. >> let's turn to the future because you're somebody i get the feeling, just having talked to as well, you don't really like going on about the past.

>> no. >> to you, it's about what's happening next. >> yeah. and being here in the present and being -- it's hard too. trying to dwell on everything that's positive and not in the negative. it's in my character to see things more pessimistically than optimistically. i have to be aware of that. >> you managed your career so skillfully. it may have been by default because you didn't want to put yourself out there much. >> lazy. >> your words, not mine. but certainly you haven't done that many tours or released that many albums by comparison to contemporaries over the period. you haven't made any movies. >> right. >> but each time you do anything, you make it an event that people look forward to. that may be the secret of your incredible longevity. do you think that? >> it's not conscious. it's the fact that i do -- especially in relationships, if i'm new ly going, i don't have

desire to work. sometimes work is a substitute for -- >> for life? >> for life, that's right. >> your track record, 51 platinums, 18 multiplatinums, that's just the music, oscars, emmys, grammys, the acting and so on. it's an unbelievable array of medals, trophies. you must have a cabinet the size of the new york yankees. does any of that really motivate you? do you look at it and think, yeah, i haven't done badly for a young girl from brooklyn. >> every once in a while. i used to hide all these awards, and one day i was doing a new house -- actually -- well, it was a long time ago, like ten years ago. and i decided, i'll put them in a room. you can't see them when you walk in, but they're there. i do appreciate them now. i must say. i do say, oh, good, i was here.

i'm still here, but i was here. i think it's because -- and maybe you relate to this -- my father died so young, that i want to be remembered. i want to have made a mark here, and records and films, television shows, they do that. they say, you existed. you were here. and hopefully for a good purpose. >> let's take a final break. let's talk about other ways you can be remembered, most of which for your charitable work. i want to talk about heart disease and the philanthropy you've done. you've raised a lot of money. military life is different.t we've been there. that's why every bit of financial advice we offer is geared specifically to current and former military members and their families. [ laughs ] dad! dad! [ applause ] ♪ [ male announcer ] life brings obstacles.

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we thought it would be fun to trace your lynniage all the way back. >> and it turns out jack p. burns that you are 1/23 israelite. >> welcome, jack. >> did you like making that? >> it's not a challenge. >> let's talk about your philanthropic career because that's been almost as relentless and productive as anything else you've done. one of the particular things you're so keen on is women's heart disease. tell me why that's been such a passionate thing. >> i dislike inequality so much,

whether it's gender issues or gay rights or whatever. even in the medical sciences, there is discrimination. so it turns out that more women die of heart disease now than all cancers combined. more women die of heart disease rather than men. more women than men die of heart disease. did you know that? i just was so shocked by some of these statistics. >> i didn't know some of these until i researched for this interview, and i saw why you were so strong about it. it's startling. >> 50 years of research have been done on men. i'll tell you a funny story too. you realize how powerful females are, that even in the research, a woman doctor discovered how to grow a heart from stem cells in a petri dish, whatever. how did she do it?

you know how she did it? with only female stem cells because, literally, the male stem cells got lost. and they refused to ask for directions. this is true. can you imagine that? so i just believe breast cancer has done such an amazing job raising millions and millions and millions of dollars to help that disease. let's say 39,520 women died of breast cancer in the last couple of years. 455,000 died of heart disease. and we haven't learned yet those organizational skills in order to raise awareness and subsequent funds to help that because women have a different, a smaller vascular system called the microvascular system. we need different equipment, different diagnostic techniques

in order to examine women, and it's something that i really look forward to helping. >> good for you. good for you. barbra, it's been such a pleasure. i've waited so long for this moment. you have not disappointed. >> thank you so much. >> this is your album, which is release me, which is as stunning as your eyes look there. and "the guilt trip." it's funny. it's warm. it's smart. it's poignant. it's bursting with talent. it is barbra streisand on film. what more can i say? go to barbrastreisand.com for all things barbra. don't leave it so long. took me 47 years to get you in front of me. >> 47? >> i'm 47. that's how long it took me to get an interview. >> when you were a baby you want to get an came out, i sang "the way we were." >> great to see you.

a woman in a police uniform shoots and kills a nato contractor in afghanistan. we'll have details into the unusual green on blue attack in a live report. the blame game. republicans say the president wants the country to go off the fiscal cliff to gain political points are lawmakers playing chicken with your taxes? and a winter storm may be headed your way. who may be getting a white christmas and what it means for your holiday travels. we'll have all of that, coming up. good morning, everybody. welcome to early start. i'm alina cho in new york. >> and i'm dana bash in washington. john and zoraida are off. >> a developing story in afghanistan. an adviser to the afghan police has been shot and killed by a woman wearing an afghan police

uniform. the latest in the series of green on blue insider attacks and our pentagon correspondent barbara starr joins us live with details on that. good morning. how unusual is this? >> well, alana, sadly this is a story we've report sod often during the year, haven't we? the details on this attack are different in one respect. as far as we know this is a case where a woman, an afghan woman in a police uniform conducted this shooting and killing. a contractor in cab uhl police headquarters. the nato alliance has already announced the incident but not said the nationality officially of the contractor involved. this typically does not happen where the perpetrator is a woman. they are going to have to determine, of course, if she really was an afghan police officer or perhaps the uniform was stolen or she somehow came

into possession of it. a continuing issue in afghanistan the past several months. they are trying to work on it. keep an eye on things more closely. be aware when people who want to conduct these acts have basically infiltrated into a safe area, but again, it's happened again. >> barbara starr, thank you. here in washington, hope is fading for a deal before the country reaches the fiscal cliff just eight days from now and we are counting really by the hour at this point until we go over the edge. congress and the president are not here. they have stopped trying for now. home from the holidays and not that optimistic about a christmas miracle. listen to retiring senator joe liberman on "state of the union." >> i feel it's more likely we will go over the cliff than not, and that -- if we allow that to happen, it will be the most

colossal consequential act of congressional irresponsibility in a long time. maybe ever, in american history. >> are white house correspondent prix anna kebrianna keilar is traveling with the president and joins us from hawaii. >> they can still talk, right? true. but the people who matter are not. perhaps the lines of xhoukz are open between the white house and senate democrats. but the white house at this point is not in discussion with not only speaker john boehner but the senate minority leader, mitch mcconnell and perhaps because of that, you have some of that pessimism of senator liberman being shared by republicans. >> when i listen to the president, i think the president is eager to go over the cliff for political purposes and sees

a political victory at the bottom of the cliff. gets additional tax revenue, gets to cut the military which democrats have been calling for for years and blame republicans for it. >> now, all eyes are now on the senate, which will reconvene on thursday. seen as likely that president obama will head back to washington from hawaii here. senate minority leader harry reid has the task of trying to conjure up something that might be able to pass the house in addition to the senate publicly. the white house is saying they want tax rates to remain in effect for those making up to $250,000 per year, but it's unclear if that's something. very unclear, very unquestioned that house republicans could swallow that. we're hearing aing you significant possibility we go over the fiscal cliff. >> absolutely. both sides are saying that. you play thad sound bite from john baroso, saying it's

politically expedestrianent for the president to go off the fiscal cliff. but both sides are saying, you know what? maybe it's better to go off the cliff. politically, members of congress will have to vet on tax cuts as opposed to now which are tax increases which are much harder to take. >> that's right. because the tax hikes will happen whether or not congress acts, so the school of thought here is that if republicans and temp kratz were to allow this just to happen, then they could vote for infect only tax cuts, not be on the record voting for tax hikes. now for the very staunch anti tax folks, it's unclear if that would really pass muster with them, but certainly this is something being considered you know, dana. >> absolutely. i'm sure the markets won't know that. brianna, good to see you. while in hawaii, president obama

and first lady michelle obama paid their respects to late senator daniel inouye. inouye died last week from a respiratory illness. he was 88 years old. following that the president went to visit the grave of his old grandfather who is buried at the very same cemetery. >> he will be missed and remembered, as he was on sunday. christmas eve, of course. crunch time for holiday travelers. a big storm out west, delayed some travel plans. heavy rains and high winds slamming the san francisco bay area and there has been snow in the sierra nevada mountains. lots of it. other areas across the country can expect a white christmas, good news for some, especially skiers, bonnie schneider has a look at the weather forecast. >> good to see you. some people getting a white

christmas or christmas eve. others see a wet and stormy one. across the south this morning, you will see some heavy downpours sliding through nashville, knoxville. and in atlanta, heavy rain. waking up to temperatures that are much colder in many locations. above freezing in new york city, that colder air is on the way. erie, pennsylvania, 29 degrees and get ready, are y you are lot a white christmas for sure. bundle up in the northern plains. temperatures below freezing in many locations and below zero in others. only 1 degrees there in south dakota. the cold air will be in place across the northern plains. as the front advances it will slide eastward and do a number of things for christmas eve. we're looking at severe storms in areas of beaumont, texas, and houston as well. and we're anticipating more delays. i think the weather will be worse in the east than today.

traveling, watch out for cities you see here, may see light snow in places like denver and more measurable snow in salt lake city. we go through the forecast period, into christmas day, the risk for stormy weather and dangerous conditions across the gulf coast. notice the cold air wrapping around, we'll see wet weather and snowy conditions for parts of the midwest south. heavy snow, cleveland and snow north of new york city on christmas day. >> 93.3 million people traveling f more than 50 miles. you are the most popular person at the network, bonnie. some top republicans are refusing to back the call forearmed officers at every american school. but it's not stopping the ceo from doubling down on the idea.

wayne la pierre says it's the only way to keep our kids safe. >> if it's crazy to call for police in our schools to protect our children, then call me crazy. i'll tell you what, i think the american people think it's crazy not to do it. >> top republicans are coming out against the idea of armed officers at every school. most are resisting tighter gun laws. the last of the children killed in the newtown massacre have been laid to rest. emilie parker and josephine gay and anna marquez-greene were laid to rest. this part of the world, alaina that you've been in. a rocket launch in north korea had the capability to travel 6,000 miles, one could conceivably reach the u.s. that's the assessment of three

officials in south korea's defense ministry based on assessment of a part they recovered from one of the rockets. it shows the nuclear neighbor's intent. president obama has not even nominated former senator chuck hagel as his choice for secretary of defense, but haggle taking heat over his past positions on iran and 2007 interview when he said "jewish loe lobby intimidated lawmakers." >> i would have serious questions to ask him, not just about israel, but to me the most significant foreign policy challenge for president obama and our world is iran. nuclear weapons program. chuck hagel has had some very outlying votes on that. >> i don't think he's going to get many republican votes. i like chuck, but his positions,

i really didn't know all of them, frankly well out of the main street and to left of the president. >> he is the subject of a new ad opposing his nomination as defense secretary. dana, what do you think? he might not sail through like john kerry. is he going to get the votes you think? >> i think the question is whether or not he is even going to get the nomination given the comments he made. the senate is a club, and they like to give props to the club. senator haggle was not one of the most popular members of the club and that's coming out right now. >> and john kerry was and is as you well known. dana, coming up, a devastating story to tell you about. more than 100 people killed when a bakery is bombed in syria. the latest on the devastation and why the government is firing on its own people. next. this holiday, share everything.

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welcome back to "early start." the u.n. special envoy to syria speaking to president assad in the wake of another gruesome

day. in what the u.n. special envoy to syria rahimi said. "we have exchanged opinions about the possible steps that can we taken in the future. the syrian president spoke about his view regardi the situation. i also talked about the meetings i had in the region and outside the region and i also talked about which steps i see appropriate to be taken to help the syrian people get out of this crisis." this meeting after 100 people who had gone without bread for one week were killed as they lined up at a bakery. the batdeath toll is expected to up. now at 100. syrian warplanes bombed them. you must be warned. the video you are about to see is extremely graphic. >> reporter: a voice filled with horror. a scene full of carnage. a massacre screams the man.

they targeted the bakery where hungry syrians lined up to get bread. >> translator: from 200 meter as way i could see corpses. the people could not be described. bodies piled on top of each other. an impossible scene. there is no word to describe it. >> reporter: one of the first on the scene filmed this video. the wounded are carried away as rebels and civilians dig up mangled corpses from the rubble. shock and grief quickly turn to anger. where are you, world? asks this man, pointing to the destruction. come see the bodies. they were waiting for bread. activists tell cnn this town is full of anti regime sentiment.

>> translator: halfia was liberated a week ago, but regime surrounded it completely. nothing allowed in or out. even water and bread were cut off. today we were able to reach an aid organization and obtain dough. >> they opened one of the town's bakeries around 1:00 p.m. and rockets struck hours later. as nearby hospitals quickly filled up, activists began pleading for help. now as more and more rebel groups promise retaliation, fears amount that the increasing violence in syria, which already claimed the lives of more than 40,000 people, will only get work. mohammed jamjoon, cnn, beruit. a majority of polls say that the u.s. and other countries should not get involved in syria. 52% say they oppose using u.s.

military and missiles to set up safe zones. 55% say that the u.s. should not send military supplies. but 88% are very concerned or somewhat concerned about what is going on. senator mike crepo of idaho has issued an apology after being arrested for driving under the influence. he was arrested early saturday morning. the idaho republican, pulled over after spotting running a red light. a senator navy s.e.a.l. commander's death is being investigated as an apparent suicide. military personnel in afghanistan found navy commander job price's body after he didn't show up at an appointed time. he was serving as the commanding officer as a special war unit called s.e.a.l. team 4.

there was it is not believed he was involved in any investigations on cotron versies. george h.w. bush will not make it home for the holidays. he has been hospitalized with a limb lingering cough since last month. doctors in houston say he needs to build up his energy before they will consider releasing him. at 88, he is the oldest living former president. a woman is attracting big crowds with this griswold worthy christmas. check this out. jan stewart has more than 65,000 lights synced with holiday music at her home in fountain valley, california. u.s. a tribute to her late husband, but some neighbors say it's like living next door to the vegas strip. just a bit over the top. >> more appropriate for the las vegas strip than for a residential area. most of the houses do have christmas decorations, we're not opposed to that, but it's just very bright, very intrusive.

>> stewart has already been ticketed for the noise and she's trying to keep the volume down. and a cyber war with santa in the middle. you have opposites to keep tabs on santa. the ever reliable stand by at noradsanta.org shows him leaving russia. games and activities will make it more fun. find it at google.com/santa tracker. >> i'm attempted to go old school and go with norad. >> i would guess you won't use either. >> if i were, apple had to get google maps back on the ipad after they got rid of it, because it was no good. >> many people were not happy.

it does work. all right. >> next, big stock market sell-off. we'll see if they are feeling more of the same, just eight days until the fiscal cliff. what the uncertainty in washington means for the markets and your 401(k). why not make lunch more than just lunch? with two times the points on dining in restaurants, you may find yourself asking why not, a lot. chase sapphire preferred. there's more to enjoy.

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very chilly new york city. investors going into a short holiday week worried about a fiscal cliff deal. all markets pointing to a lower open.

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unless congress extends legislation, you could see milk prices double next year to about $7 a gallon. 7 bucks a gallon. with congress' attention on the fiscal cliff, could take a few weeks to address this. might want to stock up on milk while the prices are still lower this week. a winter storm could become a big problem for winter travelers. what you need to know before heading out this christmas eve, next. make a wish! i wish we could lie here forever. i wish this test drive was over, so we could head back to the dealership. [ male announcer ] it's practically yours. test drive! but we still need your signature. volkswagen sign then drive is back. and it's never been easier to get a jetta. that's the power of german engineering. get $0 down, $0 due at signing, $0 deposit, and $0 first month's payment on any new volkswagen. visit vwdealer.com today. on any new volkswagen. progressive direct and other car insurance companies? yes. but you're progressive, and they're them. yes. but they're here. yes.

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congress and the president are on vacation, and there is still no deal on the fiscal cliff. why one top democrat thinks we'll careen right off the edge. nobodies show egyptians approve a constitution, the fight is not over yet. why the leading opposition plans to fight it. a winter storm, heading east. it could wreak havoc for lots of travelers today.

now we know what you need. >> good morning, everybody. welcome to "early start." chilly in new york city this morning. i'm alina cho. >> i'm dana bash in washington, d.c. it is 30 minutes past the hour. the latest on a developing story from kabul. the capital city in afghanistan, another apparent green on blue killing. an american contractor serving as advisor to the afghan police, shot and killed. this happened this morning, by a woman wearing an afghan police uniform. there have been dozens of attacks this year invol. this is the first by a woman. so far, the victim's name is withheld. this wasn't on our christmas list, but it's starting to look like all of our stockings will be stuffed with a tax hike and spending cuts. crunch time. just eight days until america

goes off the fiscal cliff. with both sides on holiday break, all we're getting is finger pointing. some republicans say the scenario that's unfolding is part of a white house scheme. >> when i listen to the president, i think the president is eager to go over the cliff for political purposes. i think he sees a political victory at the bottom cliff. gets additional tax revenue for new programs, to cut the military which democrats have been calling for for years and blame republicans for it. >> white house correspond respondent brianna keilar traveling live with the president, joins us from honolulu, hawaii. i suspect this is a working vacation for the president. >> it is what of a working vacation. he is always keeping his on eye on things. but there are not a lot of discussions going on. the white house no longer really having any substantive

conversations with house speaker john boehner or senate minority leader mitch mcconnell which is key in finding something to get through the senate and perhaps because of that, i guess some of that pessimism that you are hearing from republicans like senator brasso, shared by democrats. take a listen. >> i feel that it's more likely that we will go over the cliff than not and that -- if we allow that to happen, it will be the most colossal consequential act of congressional irresponsibility in a long time, maybe ever in american history. >> so all eyes now on the senate, which will reconvene on thursday. senate majority leader harry reid has the task of trying to cobble something together that can get through, not only the senate, probably with republican support, but also through the house of representatives with some republican support.

the white house still publicly saying they want the threshold for tax cuts to remain at $250,000 and below for folks to see tax cuts preserved what we hear from both sides, democrats and republicans there, is a significant possibility we go over the fiscal cliff. what are they saying? merry cliff-mas? >> yes, they are. 'twas the night before cliff-mas. the president has been saying that at this point there will be no grand bargain. obviously, they just hope for some measure to stop us from going over the fiscal cliff. having said that, what is the smart thinking? do you think that will happen? if so, will the president come back early from hawaii to deal with it? >> it's -- the thinking on it is very much up in the air. it's unclear what is going to happen, there is a thought that will people's paychecks be affected right away?

no. if we were to go over the cliff, the markets will be very much affected. unclear what credit rating agencies would do. president obama is officially here through the new year, the safe money, betting he will be heading back to washington. if something passes the senate, alina, it will take some arm twisting from the big guy. >> brianna keilar live in honolulu, hawaii, you can hear the waves crashing behind you. brianna, great assignment. we'll talk to you later on. dana. >> must be nice. we expect to fin out on the official results of egypt's constitutional refuse ripped um today. unofficial results published by state-run media show 64% of egyptians approved the constitution, drafted by an assembly of the muslim brotherhood. ian rappaport joins us with the

latest. >> we're hearing now that they will postpone the announcements of the results of the constitutional referendum until tomorrow, but this is still a very contentious process. we're seeing opposition file two legal challenges. first one, looking at the irregularities they say took place during two days of voting. the other one, challenging the refuse ripped um itself, saying it was illegal, didn't follow the guidelines previously set up. opposition is still very much challenging the process and also getting ready for the parliamentary elections which are supposed to take place within two months. the opposition trying to show a united force. in the past, we've seen them very much divided. >> ian lee, thank you. another piece of evidence that democracy is not always clean. often very messy. thanks, ian. dana and i will be working.

but it's christmas eve, of course, and across the country, many travelers rushing to reach their final destinations on time. big storm out west delayed some travel plans. heavy rains and high winds slamming the san francisco bay area and lots of snow in the sierra nevadas. some other areas across the country will experience a white christmas. our bonnie schneider in the cnn weather center with a look at the holiday weather forecast. what's it look like for those people on the roads, rails, planes, trains, automobiles today. >> a lot of people, you are right. they are going to encounter all types of extreme weather today and tomorrow. right now, heavy rain, stormy activity all the way from birmingh birmingham, alabama, through knoxville, tennessee and backs eastward toward greensboro and roanoke, virginia. all of these places seeing heavy rain it will get worse tomorrow. driving or traveling on christmas day, heads up.

possibly dangerous conditions across parts of louisiana, into mississippi and even into alabama. we're looking at the stormy threat as far to the north as atlanta as well. currently in the northeast, temperatures noticeably cold. providen providence, 27 degrees. slightly above freezing in new york city. you are mentioning it is feeling brisk there. temperatures cold through the holiday. not as cold as these numbers here. right now, this morning, bitterly cold, below zero in minot, north dakota. bundle up if you head to the plains for christmas eve or christmas day. strong storms overnight through texas and louisiana. out to the west, we are anticipating snow. so what does that mean for air travelers? no delays, these are the cities we anticipate delays through the day today, most of them should be under an hour. ski trip in utah, beneficial snow there. watch out for snow in western snoem. stormy conditions through the

forecast for christmas day in new orleans. as i mentioned to hattiesburg, mississippi and possibly snow showers as well the day after christmas in the northeast and heavier snow in the great lakes. alina. >> bonnie, all i have to say, it's a good thing we're working. don't have to be outside in the mess traveling on vacation. >> i agree. >> thank you so much. dana -- and the same i would say to you. it's a good thing we're working. >> you absolutely read my mind. just have to get in the car and come here and go back after that. well there, is is a bit of history we are about to have in journalism history. "newswe "newsweek" saying good boy to print. the last cover ever, when we come back. omnipotent of opportunity. you know how to mix business... with business. and you...rent from national. because only national lets you choose any car in the aisle.

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42 minutes after the hour. police in india have locked down a large section of new delhi following two days of violent street protests. protesters are demanding justice for a 23-year-old woman beaten and gang raped on a bus.

the nra is making clear they are not about to consider tighter gun laws in the wake of the newton massacre. wayne la pierre repeated his desire for an armed guard in every school. >> i don't know if anybody has ever seen somebody shot. i have. this is a false debate. this is a convenient trick to try to divide our country, where most of us in america, including gun owners that agree on things that would stop the carnage going on all over america. >> booker is offering up an array of ideas, including universal background checks and tighter control laws. and he is exploring a run for the u.s. senate in 2014. former penn state defensive

coordinator jerry sandusky, responded to an interview request with a pennsylvania newspaper with a letter from prison, written on a small scrap of paper. sandusky says he wants to talk to the citizens voice newspaper but told to keep quiet by his attorneys as they appeal his conviction for sexually abuses ten boys. he says he spends 23 hours a day in his cell at a supermax security prison. the end of an era. "newsweek" released the cover of its final print edition. it includes an archive picture and #lastprintissue. the magazine can no longer keep producing the print version it will continue in the new year as a digital only publication. and in sports, the seattle seahawks making a statement, stopping the division rival 49ers 42-13.

the rookie russell wilson threw four touchdown passes and hawks ran back and blocked a field goal 90 yards for another score. seattle clinched a playoff place with this. major, major rally. elves and dwavshs. working top cruise at the box office. "the hobbit," earning an estimated 37.6 million. tom cruise's jack reacher simply a no match. a distant and disappointing second place with 16.6 million. and the adult comedy this is 40 opened in third. pulling in $12 million. i have to say ime menwant to set film. victims of newtown, you will hear about the incredible outpouring of support for a community trying to heal. they have raised nearly $3 million so far, dana. >> well, look, that's one phenomenal story and another is

christmas miracles. all of them are christmas miracles. wounded veterans who made it home from the front lines. the message for troops still serving overseas, that's next. [ male announcer ] this december, remember you can stay in and share something ♪

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with odor free aspercreme. powerful medicine relieves pain fast, with no odor. so all you notice is relief. aspercreme. in the wake of the deadly school shooting in newtown, connecticut, so many people across the country, around the world really, have been asking how can i help?

the united way of western connecticut has set up a fund to provide support services for those affected by the tragedy. they have now raised $3 million. that is incredible. joining me now are two leaders of this fund-raising effort. will rogers, a selectman of newtown and kim morgan, ceo of united way of western connecticut. good morning to both of you. >> good morning. >> good morning. >> $3 million, an incredible milestone. and you will raise so much more in the coming weeks and months. i know there has been a debate about how to distribute these funds. kim what is the latest thinking on that? >> when we started the fund, it was a way to be a guardian. our intent is to turn the funds over to the community and let them decide. >> the families as well, right? >> they are a cross section of

the community input, yes. but the fund was soliset solici as an undes ignated fund. we are trying to be as broad as possible. >> what are some of the suggestions floating out there? so many ways people could use this money? >> right. >> this is unprecedented and people are very quick to react, and we really want to take the time to think about this thoughtfully and ensure we are matching resources to the established need, and ensure there is local control and local input. so some of the needs may be around mental health issues. we don't know at this point. >> right. and it's great that you are putting real thinking into that, because this money is so badly needed in the community. so many people need it. tell me a little bit about how much money -- we know you have

raised $3 million. but where is that money coming from, generally speaking? what is the average donation? >> it ranges from $10 to $1 00,000 to be honest with up as soon as this tragedy happened, my phone started ringing. here is how you plan, here is what you will need, from community who have been through this, and then the phone started ringing with people who wanted to give. >> it's not just money pouring in, food, toys, all kinds of gifts from around the world. how are you dealing with that incredible influx that's coming your way? >> it is logistically very daunting, in fact, we put a press release out on the town website. we're trying to encourage people to contact the particular entity they are donating toto make sure their donation they have in mind is needed. it really is -- goods require

human effort to move and distribute, and we are -- we are pretty swamped right now. we appreciate everything, we probably aren't interested in receiving perishables at this point. we're overwhelmed as far as that, but contact your particular entity you wish to donate to in terms of what they need for goods. >> in terms of where the money goes as well. there are a lot of people who had suggested maybe that money should be set aside toward building a new school. has that been something you have thought about? >> it's certainly something that's out there. and surprisingly, there are people who have donated directly to the town to build a new school. this is a fund for long-term uses or at least holding back to

see what needs arise. the fund is not categorically precluded from anything. >> very quickly. so many people want to help. how can you do it? >> go to our website, or text. >> kim morgan, ceo of united way of western connecticut. thank you for coming in on this christmas eve. i hope you raise a lot more money. >> thank you very much. >> dana. >> the greatest gift this holiday season is that they are still here. wounded veterans working through christmas as they recover from terrible injuries. their thoughts are with friends overseas who aren't home from the holidays. here is pentagon correspondent barbara starr. >> when it pushes forward it opens, throw my elbow, it unlocks it. that's how you maneuver. >> reporter: wounded troops rehab at the holiday time. all christmas miracles.

meet travis mills. one of the troops i visited with, asking them to send holiday wishes to their buddies. >> i'm staff sergeant travis mills. i want to wish everybody a merry christmas, happy new year, to all military forces overseas and home and special shoutout to guys in the first platoon, fourth division, the gun show, miss you guys. >> eight months ago, he stepped on an ied. >> it took all four limbs, but it didn't take my life. i'm thankful for that. >> reporter: it can be a struggle just to walk again. >> i'm richard with the u.s. navy. i want to give a shoutout to my friends and family. have a good holiday, say staf. >> tyler jeffries also lost his legs. >> a shout to my friends and brothers back in afghanistan, say happy holidays and i wouldn't be here without you guys. >> tyler is already getting ready for next christmas. >> i want to start walking as

fast as i can. i'm in the wheelchair upon hours upon hours all day and i want to be able to get up in my own house and get a cup out of the cup pord. >> i'm langston white. happy holidays to my family and a bunch of guys from my unit getting purple hearts today, and i am thinking about you today and a special place for you guys in my heart. >> joshua says it's a good holiday season because of his buddies. >> it is. definitely. they are there, alive and breathing. so that's good -- it's good in my eyes. >> airborne out of ft. bragg. a shout to the guys in the 27th still overseas. >> trainle amputee, one thing adam didn't lose. his airborne wings tattoo. >> take this one off. >> reporter: yeah. >> the wings are still there too. air born wings. so that's good. >> and that's good. >> yeah, of course. >> so that's actually pretty cool, the air born wings. >> they made it.

>> and quadruple amputee eight months ago, laying in a bed hooked to hoses. i can walk now. first pump, lean a little bit here. and first pump and jellyfish, jellyfish, jellyfish, jellyfish, jellyfish. >> barbara starr, cnn, walter reed medical center. >> those are heroes and people who have a lot of courage. for more inspiring stories and ways you can help, go to cnn.com/impact. >> coming up, a developing story out of afghanistan. a deadly green on blue attack in kabul. unlike anything we've seen before. forget the night before christmas, we're approaching the night before cliff-mas. i said it. as we head closer to the fiscal cliff, an op-ed takes an interesting look of what's going on in washington. initiated.

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